Steps to bring back past glory of Bengaluru as ‘Garden City’: CM Bommai

Bengaluru, Jan 20: The State Government is determined to bring back the past glory of Bengaluru as the Garden City, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Friday.
Speaking after inaugurating Republic Day Flower show-2023 on the theme of Bengaluru City History at Lalbagh Glass House, he said necessary steps will be initiated to protect the name of ‘Garden City’ permanently by keeping Lalbagh, Cubbon Park and other parks which are under the control of BBMP and by creating new gardens on the city outskirts besides improving the tree cover.
Bommai said the 213st edition of the flower show at Lalbagh is a remarkable
achievement. The annual flower show at Lalbagh is very popular. Lakhs of people visit the show every year and this year around 10 lakh to 15 lakh people are expected to visit for which the department of Horticulture has made all arrangements. The flower show is liked by all as it will show the extent of the growth of green wealth.The government’s endeavour is to increase the green wealth and the extension of the green cover, he said.
The chief minister said the green budget was presented and Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for the extension of the green cover. It is being implemented also. For the first time, the State Government has taken up the task for greening the hilly region to maintain balance in nature. Along with it even the horticulture must also extend. Horticulture is everywhere starting from Lalbagh and special plans are being formulated in this regard. Along with the extension of the green cover, its production and productivity will also increase. The government is into the work of extending horticulture along with the growth of farm, he said.
Horticulture Minister Muniratna, MLC T A Saravana and others were present. Concerted efforts needed for farmers
The chief minister, later inaugurated the International Conference on Millets and Organic Cultivation at the Bengaluru Palace Grounds, and said concerted efforts were needed to improve the lot of farmers. Bommai suggested that outlook report on crops and seasons must be prepared on a scientific basis, which should help farmers. The Agricultural Prices Commission and agricultural experts must be involved in the task, he said. The chief minister also advocated the need for changing the rural credit system and enable farmers get sufficient loans in time so that the dependency on usurious money lenders will be eliminated.
The State Government has provided interest free farm credit to 33 lakh farmers, including 3 lakh new farmers. This is record, he said pointing out that 11 lakh children of farmers have benefited from the Raitha Vidya Nidhi scheme. Bommai said there is greater awareness about millets and organic farming is becoming popular. More farmers will take up the cultivation if they are assured of better returns, he said.
He said the Agricultural Universities must diversify and extend their activities to ensure that more farmers were benefitted rather than confining them only to the university campuses.
The chief minister later unveiled the logo of the Hampi Utsava.